In the spring of 2012, the University of Iowa Office of the Provost distributed a proposal for initiatives to enhance outreach and engagement activities in support of one of the “pillars” of the University’s strategic plan, “Better Futures for Iowans.” A proposal was funded that was put forth by several STEM departments and centers including the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Biology, Delta Center, Optical Science and Technology Center, and the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute. Funding from the “Better Futures for Iowans” initiative was instrumental in building the Department of Biology Outreach Program and was used to purchase equipment for classroom and traveling exhibits including the “Hawkeyes at the Microscope” exhibit.

The mission of the Department of Biology Outreach Program is to develop hands-on outreach activities to increase awareness and interest in biological research in a range of populations including K-12 students, undergraduate students, the general public, and legislators.

If you would like to participate in our outreach program, please contact Steve Kehoe (steve-kehoe@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1050) or Lori Adams (lori-adams@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1322).

Model Organisms: Powerful Tools to Study Biology

• Scientists study model organisms to understand how human diseases work.
• Model organisms share features with humans, such as similar DNA.
• There are advantages and disadvantages to every type of model organism.

Frog - Xenopus laevis
Fruit Fly - Drosophila melanogaster
Mouse - Mus musculus
Mustard Plant - Arabidopsis thaliana
Roundworm - Caenorhabditis elegans
Yeast - Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Zebrafish - Danio rerio